CPSC
Offers Tips To Prevent Home Fires Caused by Space Heaters

WASHINGTON, D.C. - As
fire departments across the country battle winter home fires, the U.S.
Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reminds consumers to demonstrate
care when purchasing and using space heaters. CPSC estimates that space
heaters, including both fixed and portable heaters, are associated with
about 21,800 residential fires every year. About 300 people die each year
in fires started by these heaters.

Fuel-burning space heaters
also can cause carbon monoxide poisoning and indoor air pollution, because
of improper venting or incomplete combustion.

"We're still seeing
too many space heater fires," said CPSC Acting Chairman Thomas Moore.
"While CPSC has worked hard with industry to improve safety standards
for space heaters, consumers must exercise care in their purchase and
use."

Consumers should be
aware that older space heaters might not meet the newer safety standards.
The CPSC has worked to upgrade the industry standards on electric, kerosene
and unvented gas space heaters. An automatic cut-off device is now required,
which turns off electric or kerosene heaters if they tip over. More guarding
around the heating coils of electric heaters and the burner of kerosene
heaters also is required to prevent fires. CPSC worked to upgrade the
industry standard on unvented gas heaters, as well, to provide an oxygen
depletion sensor to shut off the heater if the oxygen level drops too
low.

Here are some CPSC safety
tips for buying and using space heaters:

Select a space heater
with a guard around the flame area or heating element. Place the heater
on a level, hard and nonflammable surface, not on rugs or carpets or near
bedding or drapes. Keep the heater at least three feet from bedding, drapes,
furniture, or other flammable materials.

Choose a space heater
that has been tested and certified by a nationally recognized testing
laboratory. These heaters meet specific safety standards.

Keep doors open to the
rest of the house if you are using an unvented fuel-burning space heater.
This helps prevent pollutant buildup and promotes proper combustion. Follow
the manufacturer's instructions to provide sufficient combustion air to
prevent CO production.

Never leave a space
heater on when you go to sleep. Never place a space heater close to any
sleeping person.

Turn the space heater
off if you leave the area. Keep children and pets away from space heaters.

Have a smoke detector
with fresh batteries on each level of the house and a carbon monoxide
detector outside your sleeping area.

Be aware that mobile
homes require specially designed heating equipment. Only electric or vented
fuel-fired heaters should be used.

Have gas and kerosene
space heaters inspected annually.

Consumers who would
like more information can view (also in pdf) or receive a free CPSC booklet,
"What You Should Know about Space Heaters," by placing a request
at www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/hard.html
or by sending a postcard to: "Space Heater Booklet," U.S. Consumer
Product Safety Commission, Washington, DC 20207.

The U.S. Consumer Product
Safety Commission protects the public from unreasonable risks of injury
or death from 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction.
To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC's
hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270,
or visit CPSC's web site at www.cpsc.gov/talk.html.
For information on CPSC's fax-on-demand service, call the above numbers
or visit the web site at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/103.html. To
order a press release through fax-on-demand, call (301) 504-0051 from
the handset of your fax machine and enter the release number. Consumers
can obtain this release and recall information at CPSC's web site at www.cpsc.gov.